Looking Back: Pastor/wife were good fit with caring, sharing church

“Hallelujah” is a frequent exclamation from the lips of petite Donna Hollis, wife of the Rev. John Hollis, 37-year pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene in Freeport. “She has been the ‘cheerleader’ for our congregation,” the pastor offers, “the spark plug.”

“Hallelujah” is a frequent exclamation from the lips of petite Donna Hollis, wife of the Rev. John Hollis, 37-year pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene in Freeport. “She has been the ‘cheerleader’ for our congregation,” the pastor offers, “the spark plug.”

But, it is obvious, they are a team.

The Hollises have served the local church since 1977, and not only the church, but the community as well. That is one of the things both have been most grateful for. The local church has allowed them to serve beyond the church as an outreach into the community. Pastor Hollis has served as interim chaplain at the hospital and has conducted weddings and funerals for members and non-members alike. He has been involved in interdenominational activities, and have always welcomed any and all into the church.

Donna taught kindergarten for 20 years at Tri-County Christian School and before that substitute-taught for Freeport School District. “She had a hard time getting out of kindergarten,” pastor said. She also taught remedial reading and math under the Title One government program through Freeport District 145. Then Pastor Hollis could often have been seen in the bleachers when his children or those from his congregation were involved in sports. So this couple has been part of the Freeport scene in numerous ways.

But the thing of it is, Pastor Hollis is retiring, and he and Donna have plans to move to Elkhart, Ind., where two of their children reside. The Hollises came here with two young children, and one was born here. They claim a fourth one as a son who came to them as “a blessing from God.”

A Little Church History

Visiting at a table in the church’s fellowship hall, the pastor said he believes the original part of the present church at 125 E. Empire St. was built in about 1847, the same general era as its neighboring Stephenson County Historical Society on South Carroll Avenue. It was a large home, he said recalling the family name of Gund associated with it.

“The idea of forming a church began with tent meetings,” Pastor Hollis said, explaining that evangelistic or revival meetings were held in 1926. A brief history of the church published in 1997 for the 50th anniversary of the church, names Mrs. A.B. Mallory, “called of God,” as the inspiration for these meetings. Through the great interest shown, a church was organized for the “teachings and doctrines of the Nazarene Church.” Mrs. Mallory was appointed its first pastor.

A small frame building was constructed for worship on the corner of Ottawa and Shawnee that same year. Over the years, a number of pastors served until in 1947, the Rev. J.J. Gough came, and under his leadership, according to the history, the old frame tabernacle on Shawnee and Ottawa was sold and the present property on East Empire Street purchased.

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And there the church has remained. Many improvements have been made over the years, including the addition of the sanctuary in 1955.

The house originally had servants’ quarters and a carriage house. In those first years after the purchase of the house, the church needed a lot of work, Pastor Hollis said. The early pastors’ families lived upstairs in the building.

Church’s 70th Big Event

That 70th anniversary was celebrated big with a fellowship breakfast and evening service of “Praise and Sharing” on Saturday, and a “Look to the Future” at the Sunday morning worship hour with guest speakers and musicians. The Hollises’ son Steve served as worship leader. A mass choir of current and former members performed. A buffet dinner and evening service closed the full weekend celebration.

“They had a big celebration when we had been her for 10 years,” Donna said.

“The year we moved here in March 1977 the first big event was the celebration of the church’s 50th anniversary, so we have celebrated many anniversaries with the church. We recently celebrated the 85th.”

“The church is strong in missions,” Pastor Hollis said.

“There are 159 world missions of the Nazarene (denomination).” He said there were missions in countries where the government would not allow them. The congregation has a “Faith Promise” event in November to raise funds for the missions fields. They bring missionaries in to raise money for missions. “Donna was mission president up until two years ago,” Pastor Hollis said.

“The local church has sent teams to Toronto and Mexico,” Donna said.

“Those who are sent as missionaries from our denomination go on salary,” Pastor Hollis said. “Each local Nazarene Church has an allotment for missions.” The local church’s “Work and Witness” program sends groups to various areas for aiding the population. The Hollises have been to France and Brazil on such missions. The one to France was a group from the church’s Northwestern Illinois District.

A Good Mix

“God let us stay,” Donna said. “We came when Steve was 8 and Julie, 5, and Mark was born here. Our kids have all been involved in music in high school. Mark, who has achieved wide recognition in pole vaulting, got his start at Freeport High School.”

“We have a huge hole in our hearts leaving here,” Donna said. “We were loved and accepted for who we were. I have loved being a pastor’s wife.”

Donna commends the congregation for being so accepting of their family and especially for being “understanding of their children, and not expecting more of them than others.”

Pastor Hollis said he was grateful that the church allowed him to minister to the community. “Everybody has gifts that God gives them to be part of the human family. My primary gift is serving and I find pleasure in it. That is who I am, and Donna is the same way.”

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Donna describes the congregation as one of “caring and sharing.”

“It has been a good fit,” says her husband.

He will preach his final sermon here Aug. 4. They’ve agreed they will turn to the Scripture that they say has served them well, “Trust in the Lord.”

We can almost hear one of Donna’s “Hallelujahs.”

Harriett Gustason is a columnist for The Journal-Standard. She can be reached at hg3855@comcast.net